Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Jeanne Shaheen have reintroduced the Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act, aiming to hold social media companies accountable for illegal drug activities on their platforms. The legislation seeks to empower federal, state, and local law enforcement by requiring these companies to report drug-related activities.

Senator Marshall highlighted the impact of fentanyl in Kansas, citing the tragic death of Cooper Davis from a fentanyl-laced pill purchased via Snapchat. "We will not rest in our fight until no Kansan loses their life to fentanyl poisoning," he stated.

Senator Shaheen emphasized the role of social media in exacerbating substance use disorders among youth in New Hampshire. "Our bipartisan bill would hold social media companies accountable... Families and communities across this country have dealt with enough heartbreak," she said.

The act is named after Cooper Davis from Kansas and Devin Norring from Minnesota, both victims of fentanyl poisoning linked to purchases made through social media platforms. Their families have since launched foundations to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit drugs sold online.

The bill has garnered support from several senators, including Chuck Grassley, Dick Durbin, Todd Young, and Amy Klobuchar. Senator Grassley noted that "Fentanyl overdoses claim the lives of tens-of-thousands of Americans each year." Senator Durbin added that an all-hands-on-deck approach is needed to address unlawful drug activity online.

Organizations supporting the legislation include Snapchat, National HIDTA Directors Association, Partnership for Safe Medicine, and others. Libby Davis expressed gratitude for legislative efforts: "We need our legislators to come together... so that countless children can be saved."

The family of Devin J. Norring also supports the act as a step toward protecting families from fentanyl threats via social media: "No parent should have to search for answers in a system that shields predators."